Can I just make the point that landing a doubleroundhouse to the head is the most satisfying experiences ever!

Your never going to use your front leg on the street because there wont be enough power. But I wouldnt advise anybody to use a back kick either on the street. Its too slow and to much can go wrong. Best stick with quick hand speed.

I use the front leg kick alot. It is possible to throw a front roundhouse or double roundhouse with some power, but only the first two kicks have any power for me, so if I throw a third it's usually a different type of kick.

Anyways, back on topic, the side kick can be delivered with serious power. I've seen cracked sternums in light contact tournaments.

I use the front kick with the lead leg as a defensive technique because it's a fast move that can stop a haymaker in its tracks.

I used the front leg rhk kick, sk and front kick like a jab you don't need thai rhk kicking power, if you are kicking vitals like grion and lower abdomen, I know for most of you TKDers this is not legal but it is legal in Goju or some Okinawan systems, believe that streetfighters kick at this target too, so its best to know how to defend/counter it. With footwork and movement the kick is in and out before the guys knows it and You are behind a bent over oponent, which is almost like Xmas leftovers.

Some don't believe the jab is a strong punch, but what do you think sets up the 1-2, Jab r-cross? Power can be had from these techniques but its snapping power, pentertrating stinging power enough to topple ya, in the lower abdomen. So much so that you miss the rest of combo or have adjust it for a falling body.

Theres different kind of power and purpose for certain techniques. F sk is like a power jab.

I agree with that- I myslef use the front leg side kick and front kick a lot in my sparring. You are right, they are like a jab and can set up some good power shots, and the side kick and front kick are also very good defensive kicks. My first post(all those moons ago) was referring to the original question which was about the use of only the front leg in sparring. The jab may be very useful, but if you can only jab and throw no power shots, then you are at a serious disadvantage.

Heres my reasoning if it can knock over or hurt a finely tuned guy with rippling stomach muscle and lighting fast reflexes, I personally think that it will clobber a beer belly beer drinking crap talking wanta be tough guy.

When I'm sparring I try to use techniques that would apply in a real situation, even my above the waist kicks pending who the oponent is, simple stuff may not work, you have to do what they don't expect.

I use the front leg kicks like I do the jab, on the mat or on the street, I set things up. You catch a guy really committed under his striking arm and sidestep while throwing the front leg rhk (which is almost a rear leg rhk kick now), it will double him up possiblly break his ribs.The over the shoulder punch almost needs to be aimed at the behind the ear of this now falling fellow.

So what works sparring if its practical works when you're fighting, been my experience. You gonna do it instinctly anyway. We fight the way we train.

I think point sparring is becoming to "point" oreinted that the fighting isnt effective. If a martial artists, who throws only those flick front leg kicks without bringing his foot down, goes against a martial artists who trains in contact sparring I believe he will get owned. I know this depends on how skilled the guys are but if they are close in skill or even a little better than the other. They throw those flick kicks I would jam up into that leg and come in with punches. These guys rely too much on their one foot for kicking and just flicking the guy for a point.

I've always considered the front Mae-geri (front-kick) the equivalent of the jab & the front Mawashi-geri (round-kick) the equivalent of a Uraken (back-fist) or Haito (ridge-hand).

Most people never learn to harness the power built on the speed of these kicks. Problem is that they deliver these kicks from an upright position. They do this by shifting their balance from both legs to the back leg (backing-up) & flicking the kick. If they actually made contact, they'd push themselves backward.

The key here is to bring the front knee up very fast, kick & retract while going forward. In other words, don't balance on your back leg. If you don't complete the kick & get your foot down fast enough, you should fall forward.

The advanced version of these kicks require you to push-off forward the instant your front foot leaves the floor - very difficult because most people end up hopping.

Another point...I like to use the front Mae-geri (front kick) as a stop-kick aimed @ the hip or belly-button. Your opponent will essentially impale himself. A kick doesn't need to be high to be effective. But the rule still goes...feel your balance & momentum going forward, always.

BTW...I love to rush-in against those who shift their balance backward in order to get their f-leg round-kick to head-level. They fall over like a drunk.